Thread advancing reel



, Aug. 17, 1948. R. w. STANLEY THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed Oct. 26, 1944 mmvro Eva/L4 d. W

Patented Aug. 17, 1948 THREAD ADVANCING REEL Richard W. Stanley,

American Viscose Corporation,

Drexel Hill, Pa., assignor to Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 26, 1944, Serial No. 560,445 6 Claims. (Cl. 28-71 .5)

This invention relates to thread-advancing reels which may be used for the production of a yam store which is continuously advanced axially of the periphery of the reel, during which time it may be subjected to fluid treatment in the manner and for the purposes conventional in the art.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide an improved thread-advancing reel. It is a further object of this invention to devise a reel which is adaptable to either a cantilever or double end supported structure. It is a further object of the invention to provide a reel of this type based upon a structural principle which, when embodied in a reel of considerable axial length results in substantially uniform efilciency in thread-advancing action throughout the length of the reel, and, at the same time, is adapted to operation at high speeds of rotation of the reel. Further objects and advantages of the invention will b apparent from the drawings and description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention-- Figure 1 is a mid-section taken axially through one embodiment of the reel of this invention on line I-I of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 11-11 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a section Figure 1.

In general, thread-storing, thread-advancing reels of this invention comprise a concentric set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars and an eccentric set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with and alternating between the bars of the first set. The bars in the non-concentric set are supported on a rigid member rotatably mounted on an axis both eccentric and askew with respect to the axis of the concentric set of bars and are individually connected to the member by universal joints which allows of axial displacement of the bars individually with respect to the remaining bars in the set. This articulated mounting is preferably of such a character that the main relative movement occurs along spherical surfaces.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the concentric set of longitudinally extending bar members 2 extend at one end into suitable recesses 3 of the flange or spider t while the other ends are interlocked with an annular rib 5 of a flange or spider S. The cylindrical cage of bars 2 may be clamped between end flanges or spiders i and 8 by suitable spaced cap screws 1 which are associated with springs 8. The system comprising the cylindrical cage of bars 2 and flanges and B constitutes a housing which may have any axial length desired, and which may house the actuating mechanism for the other set of interdigitating bars 9. This housing is supported for taken on line IIIIII of rotation with respect to a stationary hollow shaft Ill by means of suitable bearings ll. Flange I may be provided with a plurality of projections l2 which are adapted to fit in corresponding sockets l3 of a coupling Hrotatably mounted in the stationary frame IS.

A two faced friction clutch I6 is fixedly secured on slldably mounted shaft ll which extends to both sides thereof with one end recessed to receive a spring 18 which urges the shaft and clutch to the left as viewed in Figure 1. The other end of the shaft is provided with a splined connection at I8 so that. it can slide axially of the coupling l4 and at the 'same time transmit rotation to the coupling l4. Gears 2!! and 2| are freely rotatably mounted on the shaft I! at each side of the'clutch l6 and have clutch faces 22 adapted to cooperate with the adjacent face of the clutch it. While the clutch faces are of conical shape as shown, they may instead be flat disks or annuli. Any type of clutch may be substituted but preferably a type is used which may s1ip when a predetermined load is exceeded, whether this be a positive or friction drive type of slip clutch or equivalent device.

The gears 20 and 2! are adapted to be driven at different speeds by gears (not shown). A rod' 23 having enlarged diameters adjacent each end and a rib at 24 extends through the hollow shaft H! which is held stationary by the key 25 in the flared member 26 which fits on the bearing 21. The rod 23 has a pin 28 which projects outwardly from it and is arranged to cooperate with the slotted way in a stationary sleeve or hub 29. By turning the hand knob 30 fixed on the end of rod 23, the rod may be shifted from the central branch slot inwhich the clutch I6 is disengaged to and from the extreme branch slots in which the reel is driven at high and low speed respectively by virtue of the connection of the clutch to the gears 20 and 2! respectively. A thrust bearing 3| is provided to permit relative rotation of shaft H and rod 23. This arrangement makes the control of the clutch readily accessible from the discharge end of the reel which projects away from the driving connections. When a large battery of such reels are associated in a common filament production or processing machine, the driving connections may all be associated with a couple of common drive shafts housed in an extension of the frame 15 and the reels may be arranged closely together on parallel axes without detriment to the individual reel driving control and its accessibility.

The bars 9 in the eccentric set are of composite structure, the bar proper 9 being fixedly secured to a, reinforcing beam 32 which has two projections 33, one. at each end and each end of the beam is adapted to be connected to a correspondy -ing rotatable member 34 and 34 respectively through a universal connection. The member 34' may be of a. construction identical with that shown for member 34 and in that event both should be mounted on bearing sleeves having paralleled axes eccentric and inclined with respect to the axis of shaft III. In the preferable construction shown, however, only one or the members, namely 34 is mounted on an askew and eccentric sleeve 35 while the other member 34' is mounted on a. sleeve 35 which is eccentric only with respect to the shaft l so that member 34' follows the motions of member 34 transmitted by the bars 9 (or their beams 32).

The universal connection between the members 34, 34' and the bars 9 is obtained by the use of spherical balls 36 which operate within spherical recesses provided in the outer periphery of the members 34 and 34' and inwardly faced spherical recesses formed in each of a ring of relatively slidable blocks 31 fixedly secured on the projcctions 33 of the beam 32 attached to bars 9. Because of the askew axis which controls the motion of members 34 and 34' just suificient space is preferably provided between the adjacent relatively slidable surfaces of blocks 31 to permit rocking or oscillatory movement of the blocks about an axis extending radially with respect to the eccentric axis of the bars 9. If desired however, these surfaces may be spaced entirely out Of contact with each other. A still, resilient shroud or cover 38 is fixedly secured to each of the members 34 and 34 and maintains the blocks 31 seated on the balls 36 while permitting sufllcient motion between the blocks and itself to assure efiicient articulation. The inner faces of the blocks 31 are spaced at all times from the outer faces of the members 34 and 34' so that there is no binding contact between them. To permit the member 34' to follow freely the motions of member 34, the inner bearing surface 38a of the outer race of the ball bearing supporting the member 34' on the eccentric sleeve 35' is made of spherical shape, though other expedients may be resorted to for this purpose. Both the members 34 and 34' as well as their associated shrouds 38 are provided with openings 1b to permit unobstructed passages of tie rods 1.

Where it is desired to protect the main operating parts from any possibility ,of clogging and corrosion when the reel is used for subjecting the filamentary material to liquids, a flexible sealing membrane 39, such as of rubber or synthetic rubber, may be secured about the projections 33 of the articulated supporting means for the nonconcentric bars and to the ends of the concentric cylindrical cage as shown. Similarly grease for lubricating the mechanism can be kept out of contact with the thread manipulating bars.

As shown, the flange 6 overhangs the outer rim of the stationary flared member 26. The outer peripheral surface of the member 26 preferably slopes inwardly from its outer 'rim 40 to a generally cylindrical portion 4 I, which serves to hold any accumulation of thread formed after breakage of the thread being handled by the reel or during lacing up of the reel or any machine" comprising the reel. Occasionally, stray filaments also tend to gather on this member 26. The member 26 has a surface 4| of sufilcient axial extent to provide adequate storage space and ready access for the operator to remove the accumulated filaments or threads at his convenience without danger of injury to his hands, and without the necessity either of stopping the reel or of giving it immedi- '9 outside the periphery of bars 2 and then their recession within that periphery, thereby resulting in the advancing of the thread axially of the reel.

The reels may be of any length desired and when relatively long compared to their diameter, the concentric bars 2 may be reinforced by annular members 42 which are arranged to pass through apertures 43 made in the bars 9 and their reinforcing beams 32 without interfering with the motions of the bars 9.

The form of universal connection which essentially comprises a ball and socket joint assures that the composite swiveling of each bar 3 about two axes, one transverse to the eccentric axis of the bar and to the plane of the bar'and the other lying in the plane of the bar and extending radially with respect to the eccentric axis of the bar, occurs in a common spherical surface without any possibility of binding or twisting the elements of the joint into a distorted shape which would tend to bind or interfere with one or more of the components of the composite swiveling motion. Relatively little sliding motion occurs between the elements of the articulated system and they are readily and reliably lubricated to minimize frictional losses. Another outstanding advantage of the preferred reel construction of this invention is the use of a single askew member 34 rotating on an axis eccentric and askew to that of the concentric bars 2 for actuating the bars 9 and mounting another member rotatable on an eccentric axis in such a manner that it follows the askew motion of the member 34. This not only simplifies the reel construction but prevents the excessive wear and damage that may result when the eccentric and askew axes of two such members deviate more or less out of parallel arrangement. The reel of the present invention combines ruggedness and sturdiness of construction with simplicity and negligible sliding friction. The resulting contact of the bars with the thread avoids entirely any possibility of appreciable sliding or shimmying motion of the bars with respect to the thread and consequently produces a processed thread of outstanding uniformity free of partially worn areas and irregularly stretched and tensioned lengths.

The various parts of the reel may be made of any particular materials desired. The construction lends itself readily to making the bars 2 and 9 of materials which offer the most satisfactory bearing surfaces for the filamentary material to be handled thereby from the standpoint of smoothness, durability, and/or resistance to corrosion under the influence of any liquids with which the filamentary material is to be treated while being advanced longitudinally of the reel, without making the remainder of the reel thereof. This is of tremendous importance from the view point of initial and depreciation cost of such reels, since materials which best meet the requirements specified are generally considerably more expensive than related materials which would be fully adequate for all portions of the supporting structure of the reel other than those intended to contact the filamentary material. Thus, parts 2 and 9 may be made of porcelain, Durez, Alsimag, etc., while such other parts as 4, 6, and 32 may be made of Bakelite, stainless steel, etc. These latter parts need not be made of materials which are entirely free of tendencies to be pitted or otherwise superficially altered by the combined action of corrosive chemicals and rubbing action of the filaments handled,-

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set, means comprising individual ball and socket connections spaced apart axially of the reel and iongitudinally of each bar for supporting each bar of the second set rotatably about an axis offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set, and spaced stiff elements, each being adjacent an annular group of ball and socket connections and having inwardly facing bearing surface areas resting against projections secured to the bars for retaining them.

2. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotata-bly mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigltating with the bars of the first set, at least one rigid member mounted for rotation upon an axis eccentric and askew to the axis of the bars of the first set and arranged to rotate the bars of the second set upon an axis eccentric to that of the first set through individual ball and socket connections with each bar of the second set, and a stiff element associated with each rigid member, retaining the bars againstthe ball and socket connection and the corresponding rigid member.

3. Reel mechanism comprising a-set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigltating with the bars of the first set, at least two rigid rotatable members spaced apart axially of the reel for supporting the bars of the second set, one of said members being mounted upon an axis eccentric to that of the first set of bars, said mounting of said one of said members comprising a universal connection, another 01' said rotatable members being mounted for rotation upon an axis inclined to the axis of said first rotatable member, individual universal connections spaced apart axially of the reel between each bar of the second set and the rotatable members, and spaced stifi elements, each being adjacent an annular group of universal connections and having inwardly facing bearing surface areas resting against projections secured to the bars for retaining them.

4. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set, at least two rigid rotatable members spaced apart axially of the reel for supporting the bars 6 of the second set, one of said members being mounted upon an axis eccentric to that of the first set of bars, said mounting of said one of said members comprising a universal connection, an-

other of said rotatable members being mounted for rotation upon an axis inclined to the axis of said first rotatable member, individual ball and socket connections spaced-apart axially of the reel between each bar of the second set and the rotatable members, and spaced stifi' elements, each being adjacent an annular group of ball and socket connections and having inwardly facing bearing surface areas resting against projections secured to the bars for retaining them.

5. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting the set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigltating with the bars of the first set, stationary eccentric bearing means, a rigid member rotatably mounted on the eccentric bearing means by means of a universal connection and carrying adjacent the periphery thereof the second set of bars, stationary bearing means askew to the stationary eccentric bearing means, a second rigid member mounted for rotation on the askew bearing means, each bar of the second set being operatively associated with the rigid members by individual ball and socket connections spaced apart axially of the reel, and spaced stifi elements, each being adjacent an annular group of ball and socket connections and having inwardly facing bearing surface areas resting against projections secured to the bars for retaining them.

6. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set, at least two rigid rotatable members for supporting the bars of the second set, one of said members being mounted upon an axis eccentric to that of the first set of bars, said mounting of said one of said members comprising a universal connection, another of said rotatable members being mounted for rotation upon an axis inclined to the axis of said first rotatable member, individual ball and socket connections between each bar of the second set and the rotatable members, and a stiff element detachably secured to each of said members, said detachable element having a portion thereof engaging extensions of said bar members for retaining said bar members with their sockets against the balls of said ball and socket connections.

RICHARD W. STANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

